STEVE Bruce today insisted that Blues would get better and stronger as the Championship season progressed.

The manager said the incredible turnover in personnel - 13 players out, Gary McSheffrey becoming the ninth in - meant there was going to be a problematic bedding down process.

"We've had a good return in terms of points," said Bruce, who acknowledged that Blues had to improve their attacking potency, hence the relentless pursuit of McSheffrey and a mystery Premiership striker.

"Nobody has had a turnaround in players, in one fell swoop, like we have. So things are going to take a bit of time, we've not quite gelled yet.

"For example, the Arsenal boys have only been here for a week and we're still in the process of bringing in players before the transfer window shuts.

"But we have shown a bit of resilience. It wasn't going well for us against Colchester, it certainly wasn't going well against Stoke, but we got something out of the games. Last season, we weren't capable of doing that.

"So, that bodes well. I'm delighted defensively with two clean sheets, that's always a decent sign. Of our back lot,

Kelly has settled well and Sadler is continuing his progress. N'Gotty and Tebily stood up well to the physical challenge Stoke presented us, and now there's Jaidi to add to the mix.

"What I've got to do is find the right blend in the middle of the pitch and the top end of the pitch.

"We have to improve when we have possession, and in retaining possession, and have the confidence to do something with it. I know that, we all know that, and it's something we are working on.

"But I can promise people we will get better. It's a long, arduous season and we are only just into it."

Bruce deliberately remoulded his squad with players who are more sprightly and have greater lung and staying power than last season's.

"That first game of the season, when there were a lot of nerves, we were down to 10 men for the last half-hour but won it," Bruce pointed out.

"Against Sunderland, we could have scored two in the last five minutes. We had really good chances for Clemence and Bendtner.

"That's what has pleased me in terms of the attitude, we've kept going right to the end and finished strongly."